Encyclopedia Assignment
LIB120

Name_______________________

PaperTrail Topic__________________________

Using Background Sources: Encyclopedias

• Goal: Find an encyclopedia article that will help you gain background information on your Paper Trail project. You need an article that allows you to develop several research questions from the information provided
• First try a general encyclopedia and then progress to a subject-specific encyclopedia
• If your topic is not found in any general encyclopedias, then you may need to think more broadly or more narrowly.
• Photocopy the title page of the encyclopedia volume.
• Photocopy the title page of the article.
• Read the article and review it for coverage of your topic.
• Take notes on references to possible other resources, author credentials and bibliographies on related topics that may narrow or widen the topic for your research.

Example #1 (article author listed)

Author. "Article Title." Title of Encyclopedia. Date of Publication

Garvey, Lawrence. "Mealworm." Encyclopedia Britannica. 1987.

Example #2 (no article author listed)

"Climate." Encyclopedia Americana. 1982

Assignment - (see Homework Master List or the online Class Schedule for due date)

• Summarize the encyclopedia article in a paragraph or two.
• Write a 100 word (average) Research journal entry telling how the article

  --was located - mental search and physical search
  --will be useful to you in developing a Research Question
  --how you felt about the process of finding the encyclopedia

Assignment Checklist

• One page with your proposed topic, the Encyclopedia citation, article summary and research journal entry
• Title Page of the Encyclopedia volume you use
• First page of the encyclopedial article you use
• Staple all together